Asdrubal, Masterson Nominated for GIBBYs

No matter how much power Asdrubal Cabrera adds to his game, he will likely be regarded first for his defensive prowess and his ability to constantly tap into his bottomless tank of energy. In recognition of those attributes, Cabrera was nominated for a pair of Major League Baseball's GIBBY trophies, part of the Greatness in Baseball Yearly Awards. Cabrera is one of 10 nominees for the defensive player trophy, and the only shortstop of the bunch. He is also one of six finalists for the Wow Factor Award.

The Venezuela native earned a trip to his first All-Star game this season, becoming the first Indians shortstop to start the Midsummer Classic since Lou Boudreau in 1948. Cabrera hit .273 with 25 home runs and 92 RBIs in 151 games, often battling through nagging injuries to carry the Indians. As a result, the club finished 80-82, an 11-game improvement over the 2010 campaign.

As the injuries derailed many of his teammates' seasons, Cabrera stayed in the middle of the Tribe infield and at the heart of manager Manny Acta's batting order. "That's what I've tried to do all year," Cabrera said, "be in the lineup and try to help my team and do the best I can do for the team."

Cabrera slugged more home runs than he had hit in his first four seasons combined. Yet, his defense always seemed to stick out. In an 8-2 loss to the White Sox on May 19, Cabrera started a double play with a diving, barehanded stop and behind-the-back dish to second baseman Adam Everett.

On June 19, Tribe fans witnessed more defensive wizardry from the All-Star shortstop. In a 2-2 tie in the top of the 10th inning, Pirates third baseman Brandon Wood hit a ball deep in the hole at short, where Cabrera corralled it with his bare hand before firing an off-balance throw to first to record the out.

"Half of the dugout was yelling, 'Best play ever,'" Acta said. "Some guys were like, 'Slow down, we've seen some other ones, Ozzie Smith and all that.' But it was unbelievable. All the way, he was thinking bare hand. He never thought about using his glove, and then the throw was even better. "That was the first time I've seen something like that."

Cabrera was not the only member of the Tribe to earn a GIBBY nomination. Pitcher Justin Masterson is one of eight Major Leaguers up for the breakout player trophy.
Masterson was the Indians' ace, providing the club with consistency -- even when his offense did not return the favor. The wiry right-hander's 3.21 ERA and 216 innings pitched better demonstrate his productivity than his 12-10 record.

In an 11-start winless streak from May 1-June 25, Masterson went 0-6 despite posting a 3.34 ERA and hurling more than seven innings per outing. Still, his 12 victories doubled his previous career high, set in 2010, when he went 6-13 with a 4.70 ERA. Major League Baseball's A-listers will take home GIBBYs trophies -- the ultimate honors of baseball's awards season -- based on votes by you the fans at MLB.com, media, front-office personnel and MLB alumni.

The 2011 GIBBYs feature trophies nominees in 19 categories.

Replica Super Bowl Trophies to be Auctioned

Godfrey Myles' three replica Vince Lombardi Trophies -- estimated to sell between $15,000 to $20,000 each -- will be auctioned off Tuesday.

Myles, a linebacker with the Cowboys during Super Bowl wins in 1993, 1994 and 1996, died after suffering a massive stroke on June 10. The trophies -- 15.5-inch miniatures -- were obtained by Nate D. Sanders Auctions just a month before Myles' death, as he needed money to pay for a back operation.

Myles, who was drafted in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Cowboys, was indicted on 11 counts of charges related to mortgage fraud in March. Myles started 11 games for the 1995 Cowboys before tearing his ACL in Super Bowl XXX.

Myles’ trophies will be showcased to the public at the 32nd Annual National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago from Aug. 3-7. They come with a certificate of authenticity from Myles.

Any College Football Championship Repeats?

For the past five years the dominant conference in college football has no doubt been the Southeastern Conference. America's premiere athletic conference has seen four different programs ascend to college football's highest level. The Florida Gators claimed championships in 2006 and 2008. LSU took home the title in 2007. The state of Alabama claimed two crystal awards in the form of national championship trophies with the Alabama Crimson Tide winning it all in 2009 before Auburn last season.

Can Auburn repeat as national champions in 2011? It's is an interesting question, and a look back at years gone by showed just how many teams have claimed two consecutive unanimous national titles.

Whether you are a Crimson Tide fan, a War Eagle, a Bulldog or a Gator, the question has become easier to answer since the emergence of the BCS Championship Series in 1998. The answer is no one.

Preseason Honors Flow for Bulldogs' DT Harrell

Fresno State defensive tackle Logan Harrell, whose 3 1/2 sacks in the 2010 season opener against Cincinnati signaled his arrival as a Bulldogs star, continues to pile up preseason notice for 2011. Harrell, entering his senior year, was named Friday to the watch lists for the Outland and Nagurski trophies – two of the nation's more prestigious college football postseason awards.

The Outland honors the best interior lineman, while the Nagurski goes to the best overall defensive player. Also on the Nagurski list are USC safety T.J. McDonald and Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris, both former stars at Fresno's Edison High, and Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks (Hoover).

Cal and Fresno State will meet in the Sept. 3 season opener at Candlestick Park.
The 6-foot-2, 275-pound Harrell, who prepped at Santa Margarita High-Rancho Santa Margarita, enjoyed a breakout junior campaign after starting just three of 24 games in his first two seasons.

The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists off the Football Writers All-America team and honored Dec. 8. There are 65 players on the watch list. Five finalists off the All-America team are chosen for the Nagurski Trophy, with the winner honored Dec. 12. Eighty-seven players are on the watch list. Contenders for both trophies can be added to both lists as the season progresses.